Siya was sitting quietly on the bed, her mother's diary resting in her lap.

A soft smile lingered on her face as she turned another page.

The words felt alive.

Every memory.

Every emotion.

Every little moment her mother had written down.

Siya smiled while reading one particular entry.

"Papa really loved Mom..."

She whispered it to herself.

The diary was filled with small incidents.

How her father never let her mother worry alone.

How he stayed beside her through every difficulty.

How he refused to leave her side during her pregnancy.

Even the simplest moments were written with so much love that Siya couldn't help smiling.

Lost in the diary, she didn't even hear the door open.

Aarav entered the room and stopped.

For a moment, he simply looked at her.

No anger.

No sadness.

No walls.

Just peace.

A rare, beautiful peace.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Then he walked over and sat across from her.

Only then did Siya look up.

"Oh."

Aarav glanced at the diary and asked "What are you reading?"

He narrowed his eyes playfully.

"A romance novel?"

Siya immediately shot him a glare.

Aarav looked completely innocent.

She shook her head and said

"It's Mom's diary."

His expression softened instantly.

Siya looked back at the pages and whispered "She wrote everything."

A small smile returned to her face"Our memories... their memories... everything."

Aarav listened quietly.

Then Siya pointed at a page.

"Look at this."

She smiled.

"Papa took care of her so much."

Aarav looked at her.

She wasn't talking about revenge.

She wasn't angry.

She wasn't hiding behind her walls.

She was simply remembering.

And somehow, that made her look more beautiful than ever.

A few moments later, Siya's smile faded slightly.

She lowered her eyes.

"Mom..."

A pause.

"Papa..."

Her voice softened.

"And Veer..."

She closed the diary gently.

"I wish wherever they are now..."

Her eyes became slightly teary.

"...they're together."

Silence filled the room.

Aarav looked at her quietly.

Then he reached out and placed his hand over hers.

Not to stop her tears.

Not to give advice.

Just to remind her—

She wasn't alone anymore.

She looked at him.

Aarav's voice softened"Wherever they are, they must be happy."

Siya lowered her eyes.

"And they would want you to be happy too."he added.

She nodded.

A tear slipped from her eye, but she quickly wiped it away before he could say anything.

"Yes," she whispered. "You're right."

She carefully placed the diary aside.

Then she looked at him and said "Okay, Mr. Goenka. You must be tired. Get some sleep."

Aarav immediately shook his head"No, I'm not tired."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Then at least rest."

"No."he replied.

A small smile appeared on his face as he said "I want to talk to you."

Siya looked at him and said"Huh?"

"Yes."he replied.

She lowered her eyes without replying.

Aarav smiled.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

Then he said quietly,

"I know things have been difficult for you."

His expression softened"You've suffered more than anyone should."

Siya remained silent.

"But time never stops, Siya."

He looked at her carefully"No matter how painful something is, time keeps moving."

A pause.

"All we can do is move forward."

She slowly nodded.

Then Aarav added,

"And whatever happens..."

He held her gaze and said"I'm here."

A faint smile appeared on her lips"I know."

"Good."he said

He nodded once.

Then his expression became serious"But don't do anything that can harm you."

Siya froze slightly.

Aarav continued,

"Not directly. Not indirectly."

His voice was calm but firm.

"Promise me."

She looked at him.

Her heartbeat quickened.

A promise.

The one thing she couldn't give.

Not when she was already planning something for Sunday.

Aarav noticed her hesitation.

"Promise me, Siya."

She swallowed nervously.

Her fingers tightened slightly.

Before she could answer—

His phone suddenly buzzed.

Both of them glanced toward it.

For a moment, Siya felt relieved.

A way out.

Aarav looked at the screen and sighed.

Then he looked back at her.

She immediately said"I'm tired."

Trying to escape the conversation.

But before she could move away, he gently held her hand.

She froze.

Their eyes met.

Aarav reached toward the table beside him"I have something for you."

Siya blinked.

"What?"

Without answering, he picked up a small jewelry box and placed it in her hands.

For a moment—

She simply stared at it.

She looked at the jewelry box.

Inside was a beautiful pair of diamond studs and a delicate locket.

For a moment, she simply stared at them.

"It's so beautiful..."

A genuine smile appeared on her face.

Aarav's lips curved slightly"Try it."

Siya carefully picked up the locket.

Then she paused.

The clasp was at the back.

Aarav noticed immediately.

"Give it to me."

She looked at him.

For a second, she hesitated.

Then slowly handed it over.

Aarav stood behind her.

Siya's heartbeat immediately quickened.

He gently moved her hair to one side.

His fingers brushed her neck accidentally.

She froze.

Aarav was focused on fastening the locket, completely unaware of the effect he was having on her.

A few seconds later, the clasp clicked into place.

"There."

His voice was soft.

Siya looked down at the locket resting against her neck.

Then she turned toward the mirror.

The diamond shimmered beautifully"It's really pretty."

Aarav looked at her reflection instead of the jewelry"It is."

For some reason, Siya's cheeks turned slightly pink.

She quickly looked away.

Then, almost awkwardly, she said"Thank you."

Aarav smiled and said"You're welcome."

Neither of them noticed—

Neither was really thinking about the jewelry anymore.

The next morning, Siya woke up and immediately saw Aarav sitting near the window, working on his laptop.

He glanced at her briefly"Good morning."

She nodded absentmindedly"Morning."

But her mind was elsewhere.

Today is Sunday.

The thought immediately made her tense.

How am I supposed to leave?

She sat up slowly I need to send Aarav somewhere.

A pause.

But where?

And what excuse will I give Mom?

Aarav noticed the thoughtful expression on her face and said "Siya."

She looked up"Hm?"

"You've been staring into space for the last five minutes." He said

She immediately stood up and said "Nothing."

Aarav raised an eyebrow.

But before he could ask more, she disappeared into the bathroom.

Later, everyone gathered around the breakfast table.

Siya was still trying to think of a plan.

Then suddenly—

Paakhi spoke excitedly"Mom, Dad, today you have to come with me."

Kavita smiled.

"Where?"Siya asked.

"My friend's reception."

Then she looked at Aarav and Siya.

"And Bhai and Bhabhi too."

Aarav looked up.

"Where exactly?"

Paakhi grinned"My friend's wedding reception."

"She invited everyone."

Then Paakhi pointed dramatically at Aarav.

"And especially Bhai."

Aarav paused.

Siya froze and said "Especially him?"

Aarav immediately lowered his head and continued eating, hiding a smile.

Kavita was smiling too.

Paakhi nodded seriously and said "Yes."

"Why?" Siya asked.

Paakhi laughed.

"Because one day Bhai came to pick me up from her birthday party."

Siya frowned slightly and said "Okay... but why especially him?"

Aarav's shoulders shook suspiciously.

He was clearly trying not to laugh.

Kavita looked away to hide her smile.

Paakhi sighed dramatically.

"Because after that all my friends kept talking about him."

Siya narrowed her eyes.

"What did they say?"

Paakhi grinned.

"They said your brother is very handsome."

Aarav almost choked on his coffee.

Kavita laughed softly.

Meanwhile, Siya's expression immediately changed.

Siya folded her arms"Well..."

A pause.

"He's married now."

The entire table went silent for a second.

Then Paakhi burst out laughing.

"Exactly!"

She pointed at Siya.

"That's why you're coming too."

Siya froze.

Only then did she realize what she had just said.

Across the table, Aarav was openly smiling now.

Kavita shook her head affectionately.

And Paakhi looked absolutely delighted.

Meanwhile, Siya quickly looked away.

Pretending she hadn't just sounded possessive.

Unfortunately—

Everyone had heard it.

Siya was having water when Paakhi suddenly said, "So, bhabhi, get ready tonight. You have to look the prettiest there."

Aarav smiled.

Siya froze.

Tonight.

The word echoed in her mind.

Tonight she had to go there.

She forced herself to nod and quietly took another sip of water.

Aarav glanced at her for a moment before looking away.

Later, Siya sat alone in her room with the door locked.

"How am I supposed to go?" she muttered.

"I can make excuses to Mom and Paakhi... but him?"

She sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"He'll definitely suspect something and won't let me go."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

She flinched and immediately stood up.

Opening the door, she found Aarav standing there.

The moment he saw her, a small smile appeared on his face.

Siya stepped back, letting him enter.

"What were you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing."she replied.

"Hmm."

He looked at her for a second before saying, "You'll be going with Mom tonight."

She simply nodded.

"And you?" she asked.

Aarav paused and said"I'll see."

"Why?"she asked.

"Maybe I have some work."He said.

"Oh."Siya said.

For some reason, relief flickered across her face.

Aarav noticed.

Then he added casually, "But I'm thinking of going. After all, I'm specially invited."

Siya immediately shot him a glare.

Aarav almost laughed and said "Of course I'm going."

She let out a frustrated sigh and said "Okay. Then go now."

"What?"He asked with a faint smile.

"Why are you here? Don't wait for night. Just go now."She added.

Aarav finally laughed.

Siya turned her face away, trying to hide both her annoyance and nervousness, which only made his smile wider.

Siya looked at him.

Aarav smiled. "Okay, I won't."

"Shut up," she muttered.

His smile only widened.

Their eyes met.

"I won't go anywhere my wife doesn't want me to go," he said softly.

Siya froze.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Before she could think of a reply, Aarav gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Her breath caught.

And then her heart betrayed her again.

He didn't say anything after that.

He simply looked at her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Unable to hold his gaze any longer, Siya lowered her eyes.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

The next second, Paakhi walked in.

Both Siya and Aarav immediately turned towards her.

Paakhi stopped in her tracks and said "Oh..."

She looked between them.

"I think I came at the wrong time."

Aarav let out a disappointed sigh.

Siya noticed and immediately smiled.

Paakhi tried not to laugh.

"No," Siya said innocently. "You've come at exactly the right time."

She walked over and pulled Paakhi inside.

"Come, sit."

Then she turned to Aarav and said "You can go now."

Aarav stared at her in disbelief.

Another sigh escaped him.

Paakhi smiled awkwardly, suddenly feeling like an unwanted guest in the middle of something she definitely wasn't supposed to interrupt.